July 31st Ran to the Cape, terrific day......

The Tally for the day:  
Miles:  126
New Plates  2
Pins  1  for Coast Guard Heritage Museum 
Toy Boats: 2 one for Cape Cod and one for Hyannis 
Lighthouse Passport Stamps 1   for Coast Guard Heritage Museum 
Steps today:  4,187  1.97 miles 
Lighthouses  3  Bass Run Light, Nobska Light and Wings Neck Light 

First up was Hyannis, didn't try for Hyannisport, which holds the Kennedy compound, because it is said you can't get close anyway.  

At Hyannis, 2 stops, the Cape Cod Maritime Museum, and the JFK Memorial.


First stop of the day was the Bass River Lighthouse, which today is an inn.  No stamp here, and a pretty spiffy location.

Some lighthouses decommissioned by the U.S. Coast Guard have been sold to private persons who restrict public access, but this is not the case for the Bass River Lighthouse. Shortly after acquiring the lighthouse in 1938, the Stone family began taking in guests. While it is a bit difficult to recognize the sprawling, 68-room Lighthouse Inn resort as the former Bass River Light, it is one of but a few lighthouses nationwide where you can spend the night.

The history of the Bass River Lighthouse began with a lantern that Warren Crowell kept burning in the attic window of his Wrinkle Point home in West Dennis. Mariners crossing Nantucket Sound were so pleased with Crowells assistance that local sea captains voluntarily contributed twenty-five cents per month for fuel.

The town of Dennis, bounded by Cape Cod Bay on the north and Nantucket Sound on the south, consists of five villages all having Dennis and a modifier in their names. West Dennis has historically had many fisherman and residents employed in maritime trades, and as the number of fishing and whaling vessels in the area increased, the erection of a beacon on a breakwater at the mouth of the Bass River was proposed. Thinking they deserved something better, locals sent a petition to Congress appealing for a proper lighthouse instead of the beacon.

Congress agreed and appropriated $4,000, on September 28, 1850. But when a Revenue Marine officer arrived on site, he promptly declared the lighthouse was not needed and halted steps toward its construction.

The Cape Cod Maritime Museum was very interesting, several displays of boats and boat building.  

Didn't have any pins.  

Next was the JFK museum, right on Main Street-  there was a special exhibit about JFK and his brother Bobby,  pretty standard Kennedy exhibit.  On the bottom floor, there is a separate museum for the Cape Cod Baseball League, with its Hall of Fame as well.  I got a toy boat for Cape Cod and Hyannis here as well, along with a Cape Cod T shirt to replace my stained one. 

Then, a few miles over to Barnstable, for the Coast Guard Heritage Museum, which is a valid stop for the Lighthouse Passport program.  Also found a passport book since mine was nearly full.  Got a pin as well.  

Pin looks like this.

Then, on down towards Woods Hole again to hit the Nobska light and Marker.  Beautifully situated lighthouse, with a great view of Buzzards Bay.

Long view of the Martha's Vineyard Ferry heading over to the island

Pretty fishing boat heading out Buzzards Bay 

Last stop of the day was in Pocasset to catch a far view of the Wings Neck Light, which is actually privately owned-  No stamp for here.  It too commands a fine view of Buzzards Bay heading out to the open sea.

The white wooden keepers house and lighthouse tower, perched on the very tip of Wings Neck Point, gleam so brightly in the sunshine they almost appear to glow. Mere inches from the shore, the structures provide an unparalleled view of Buzzards Bay. It is this view and the love of lighthouses that lure visitors to this former keepers house, which now operates as a rental property.

Even with all [its] homey comforts, the principal attraction remains the view, best seen from atop the tower, reports a Coastal Living article. Climb the flight of worn mahogany steps, ascend 12 more feet by ladder, catch your breath, and just say, whoa. Standing in the turret, with the Atlantic stretching out before you, you’ll see why so many hardworking keepers turned their backs on the world and tended their lights in splendid isolation.

And that is precisely what Wings Neck is known for: its hardworking keepers who diligently served in this remote spot for many years. 

2 New Plates today:  

I also saw one for Massachusetts Hearse, but couldn't find a photo. 

Tomorrow and the weekend will be for resting.  

Got word today that Grandson Cooper passed his learners permit for driving!  He said he would send me a shot of him behind the wheel-  I'll post it when I get it.  Proud of you big fella!  
He also says he wants to head to Chicago/Detroit for a week or so next summer-  Another trip to plan!